VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER TO THE UNITED KINGDOM JUNE 12 – 14 2009 The Prime Minister of Grenada The Honourable Tillman Thomas, concluded a successful visit to the United Kingdom on Sunday June 14th 2009 before departing for an Official Visit to the People’s Republic of China. Prime Minister Thomas said he was pleased with his first visit to the United Kingdom and he believes there is a lot of potential for improvement in relations with the Diaspora and an avenue to be explored with regards to “doing business in Grenada”. Upon arrival on Friday morning June 12th 2009, the Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on Mr. Ransford Smith, Deputy Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Mr. Smith extended a very warm welcome to the Prime Minister on his first visit to the Secretariat and introduced his colleague Deputy Secretary-General, Mrs. Masire- Mwamba and other members of staff who share responsibility for engaging with Grenada. Prime Minister Thomas thanked the Secretariat for their ongoing technical assistance to Grenada and looked forward to further collaboration with the institution. Discussions were also held regarding the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Trinidad and Tobago in November of this year. Later that day, the Prime Minister was Guest of Honour at a Luncheon jointly hosted by Dr. Mohan Kaul, Director-General, Commonwealth Business Council and Ms. Pauline Wade, Deputy Chief Executive of the British-Caribbean Chamber of Commerce. The Prime Minister was able to engage in discussion with several business executives and officials from the following companies: Bowers Consulting; British Airways; De La Rue (UK); Interhealth Canada Limited; British Agrifood Consortium; Lordswood Farms; - some had already done business in Grenada and others were interested in doing business in Grenada. The BBC Caribbean Service took the opportunity to interview the Prime Minister on how his Government was coping with the current global crisis as well as the challenges he faced during his first year in office. To conclude that day, the Prime Minister addressed a large group of Grenadians at a Town-Hall Meeting in London and was able to bring them up-to-date on the status of the economy and the Government’s plans for the future. On Saturday June 13th, Prime Minister Thomas accepted an invitation from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, to join him at the Trooping the Colour Ceremony in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday. Later that evening dinner was held in honour of Prime Minister Thomas 62nd Birthday. It was hosted by High Commissioner Rouse and the delegation accompanying the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Thomas was quite pleased with the visit, which was supported by the Grenada Board of Tourism together with the High Commission and members of the Grenadian Community in the United Kingdom. The delegation accompanying the Prime Minister on the visit included, Senator The Honourable Arley Gill, Minister of State for Culture, Mrs. Sybil Alexander, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Richard Simon, Press Secretary. High Commission for Grenada London June 16th 2009